Share this Page

Schneiderlin goal earns United victory

Louis van Gaal gave run-outs to all four of his major summer signings as United kicked off their pre-season with a victory at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian and Schneiderlin all played in the first 45 minutes and the latter headed home a Juan Mata cross to score the only goal of the game.

Van Gaal made 11 changes to his team at half-time with Bastian Schweinsteiger making his first appearance in United colours in central midfield.

However, Antonio Valencia and David De Gea were left out entirely due to minor injuries picked up in training while Marouanne Fellaini was rested.

Schneiderlin, who signed from Southampton last Monday, made an instant impact as he scored with one of his first touches for the club.

Ashley Young’s fifth-minute corner broke to Mata on the right edge of the box and he delivered a high cross for the Frenchman to leap above his marker and head beyond Hugo Guemez.

Mata shot straight at Hugo Gonzalez and Wayne Rooney, who played alongside Depay up front, fired wide from the edge of the area as United struggled to create many other chances of note during the first half.

And they were extremely lucky not to concede a penalty in the 37th minute when Daley Blind – partnering Phil Jones in central defence – clearly tripped Miguel Samudio inside the area, but the officials somehow failed to spot it.

Then 22-year-old goalkeeper Sam Johnstone did well to deny Miguel Samudio in the 42nd minute, rushing off his line to gather at the feet of the midfielder after he had robbed Darmian of the ball.

Van Gaal made 11 changes at half-time and United fans were given a first chance to see Schweinsteiger in action following his arrival from Bayern Munich and his first touch was greeted with roars from the crowd.

Youngsters Andreas Pereira and Adnan Januzaj caught the eye throughout the second period, as United played with more urgency than they had done in the first half.

Pereira screwed a shot agonisngly wide four minutes after the break and later crossed for Ander Herrera to head across Gonzalez and off target when he looked likely to score.

Januzaj also shot wide on 55 minutes as United failed to extend their advantage, but sealed their first victory in this year’s International Champions Cup.

Van Gaal’s side play San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday before further International Champions Cup matches against Barcelona (July 25) and Paris Saint-Germain (July 30).